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VICE ADMIRAL STEPHEN C. ROWAN, U. S. NAVY. 



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Sketch of the Life and Services of 
Vice Admiral 

STEPHEN, C, ROWAN, U. S, NAVY 

BY S. C, AYRES, M, D„ 
Former Brevet Captain and Asst. Suro;. U. S. Vols. 



During the Civil War, only two naval ofiBcers reached the high 
rank of Vice Admiral in our Navy. One of these was D. D. Porter 
who became Admiral on the death of Admiral Farregut, and the other 
was Stephen C. Rowan, who was made Vice Admiral by seledioyi when 
Porter was promoted to Farregut's rank. The .subject of this sketch 
was born in Ireland, December 25, 180S. His father came to this 
country when his son was only a few years old, and bought property 
in Westmoreland Co., Pa. A few years later Rowan came out to 
Piqua, Ohio, and was employed as clerk in a store there. He entered 
Miami University in 1825 and February 1, 1826, was appointed Mid- 
shipman in the Navy, by the Hon. Wm. McLean, M. C, father of 
Colonel Nat McLean, U. S. A., whom some of you will remember. 
His first cruise of nearly four years was in the Vincennes, when she 
made the circuit of the globe, the first time it had ever been accom- 
plished by our Navy. In the Spring of 1836, he was promoted to 
Lieutenant and ordered to the line-of-battle ship Deleware and cruised 
for nearly six years on the Coast of Brazil and in the Mediterranean. 
He was afloat nearly all of his time during his first twenty years in 
the Navy. From '44 to '45 he served on the Ontario and from '45 to 



'48, he was executive officer of the Cyane on the Pacific Coast. His 
timely arrival there was fortunate as he was actively engaged in the 
war with Mexico until it ended. It was in the conflict with Mexico 
that Rowan had his first experience in actual war. It was there that 
he received his first baptism of fire and a training which helped to 
develop those qualities which made him so conspicious as an officer in 
the more serious conflict with the South in the early sixties. Let us 
for a moment glance at the situation on the Pacific Coast in ]846. 
Upper and lower California belonged to Mexico. There was a 
Governor, but the Franciscan monks in the various missions which 
the}' had established in the beautiful valleys were the real power. 
Mexico ha.x^oo much trouble of her own near home, since she threw 
off the yoke of Spain, to pay much attention to Cali- 
fornia, which in a commercial way was not as much an asset as a 
liability. The priests had converted and in a measure tamed and 
partly civilized the stupid and lazy Indians which they found on and 
near the Coast. Texas had been lost to Mexico by revolt and had 
been admitted into the Union in 1845. 

There were on the Coast about two thousand pioneer settlers from 
the States, with some English and Irish. A colony of Russians had 
located in the northern part, but between tlie settlers and Roman 
Church which practically controlled the land, there was no bond of 
sympathy. Many of these settlers were discharged sailors and sold- 
iers, hunters, trappers and adventurers, who loved the wild life this 
region afforded. Our Government looked with jealous eyes on this 
beautiful land which Fremont had visited twice previously and was 
now exploring for the third time. His was a scientific expedition, 
with instructions not to break the peace. He had a band of about 
sixty hardy fellows, pathfinders like himself, well mounted and well 
armed with Kit Carson as guide. 

Our fleet on the Pacific was commanded by Commodore Sloat. 
They had visited the various ports, San Francisco, vSan Diego, Santa 
Barbara, Monterey, Mazatlan and Guaymas. From 1845 to 1848, 
Rowan was executive officer of the Cyane which joined the Pacific 
squadron on December 24, 1845. The squadron was composed of five 
vessels, the Savannah being the flag ship. 

Rumours of the impending trouble between the United States and 



Mexico were current and the ships were put in order for the coming 
conflict. 

Not long after this Lieutenant Gillespie of the Marine Corps 
joined the Cyane. He had secret orders for Captain Fremont, from 
Washington. The Cyane did not reach Monterey until April 18th, 
and in the meantime Fremont had moved north, but Gillespie over- 
took him and delivered the message to him. 

An English fleet also was on the Pacific Coast under Commodore 
Seymour, whe was looking for Great Britain's interests, and watching 
with jealous eyes every movement of our ships. England suspected 
American designs on this country, and quietly made counter plots to 
take possession of the land and hoist the English flag. » i . 

This, in a word, was the situation when Fremont arrived in 
March, 1846, with his exploring party. Pio Pico was the Governor 
and Castro commanded the army. Fremont applied to Castro for per- 
mission to pass beyond the San Joaquin Valley. This was promptly 
granted, but the promise was treacherously broken, later on, after 
Fremont had passed the Oregon border. His camp was attacked and 
four of his men assassinated before the alarm was given. The cow- 
ardly and treacherous attact of the Mexicans on Fremont changed the 
aspect of affairs. He determined to be revenged and to attack Gen- 
eral Castro and drive him out of the country. Great excitement pre- 
vailed among the settlers, and volunteers flocked to his camp. He 
organized a battalion, took possession of San Francisco and started in 
pursuit of Castro, who had retreated to Los Angeles. 

Commander vSloat who was in command of this fleet, was placed 
in a delicate position. He did not want to break the peace, but he 
learned that the English Consul was plotting to take possession of 
the land in the name of England, and the Catholic Powers there, 
were agreeable to the change. 

When Sloat heard of what Fremont had done, he decided to act 
at once without instructions from Washington, not knowing that 
orders to this effect were on the way. He had orders from President 
Polk, to observe the relations of peace existing between the two coun- 
tries, but many events had transpired since he had left home and com- 
munications were slow in those days. He was not aware that war 
had actually been declared and money voted to carry it on, and that 
General Zachary Taylor was then at the mouth of the Rio Grand 



River. It was a critical moment and something had to be done with- 
out direct orders from Washington. A plot had been formed to 
declare the independence of California and appeal to England for 
protection. 

In view of the situation Commodore Sloat decided to take a bold 
step and accordingly on the seventh of July, 1816, he landed 250 
Marines under Captain Mervine and Lieutenant Rowan of the Cyane 
and took possession of Monterey, in the name of the United States. 
The stars and stripes were raised amid the booming of cannon and the 
cheers of the people. A proclamation was read declaring California 
a part of the United States. Within a few days the flag was raised 
at San Frail^isco, Sonoma and Sutters Mill. After taking possession 
of Monterey, Lieutent Rowan was ordered to land with the crew of the 
Cyane and build a fort. This was novel work for the Jackies, but they 
did it well and built a strong block-house with pickets. The successful 
accomplishment of this piece of field engineering so exceptional in the 
experience of a naval officer was a source of pride to him as long as 
he lived and he referred to it with much satisfaction. A few days 
later the man of the hour, the man who was to decide the future of 
California, the man of aggressive instincts, who grasped the situation, 
arrived. He combined in an eminent degree, the qualities of a naval 
commander, with those of a miltary leader. To Commodore Stockton 
more than to anyone else, are we indebted for the subjugation of 
Calfornia and the complete defeat of the Mexicans. 

As soon as Commodore Sloat had sailed. Commodore Stockton 
assumed the Governorship and supreme command of the land and naval 
forces. He promoted Fremont to Major and mustered his troops into 
the service. Four days later they embarked on the Cyane for San 
Diego. No resistance was offered. Rowan in his report to the U. S. 
Naval Institute says, "Landing with a Marine guard and a few sailors, 
I marched up to the town a few miles away, and, having read the 
proclamation, hoisted the flag without opposition." Moving rapidly, 
Stockton sailed for San Pedro and succeeded in capturing the Pueblo 
of Los Angeles without a fight — only to lose it later on, and have to 
re-capture. 

It was not until the 20th of August, that they received official 
notice that war had been declared with Mexico, although, it had prac- 
tically been done in January. The Cyane now sailed for Mazatlan, to 



establish a blockade and captured three prizes on the way. Hearing 
of two gun boats on the Coast, they left immediately for Guaymas. 
Rowan says, "I opened on the town, a single broadside silenced the 
enemy, I fired a shell myself so near their largest field piece that the 
crew went skampering off. 

In the meantime lyos Angeles had been taken by the Mexicans 
and Lieutenant Gillespie driven out. Stockton now at San Diego 
made plans to advance on Los Angeles and re-capture it. Rowan was 
assigned to the command of the 500 marines and seamen. In addition 
to these there was a company of dragoons and one of riflemen. Gen- 
eral Kearney had command over all the troops while Stockton had 
supreme command. The march to the Pueblo of Los Angeles was a 
very hard one, they had no horses and had to use oxen to haul their 
wagons. They drove their cattle for food and during part of the 
march formed a hollow square to protect them, as well as their wagons, 
from the enemy who were harrassing them, well mounted on excellent 
horses. At San Gabriel on June 8th, they had a fight with the Mexi- 
cans who had made a stand there and also on the next day at the 
Mesa, they had a sharp encounter with the enemy, but drove him back 
at every point. In this fight Rowan was wounded, but kept his place 
until it was all over. On the next day a flag of truce came from the 
Pueblo, offering to surrender on certain conditions. These were 
accepted and our troops took possession of Los Angeles. This was 
the most important point gained, for with the capitol of California in 
our hands, the Mexicans lost heart and failed to organize any large 
body of troops afterwards. One of the most interesting incidents in 
the war on the Coast was the rescue of Lieutenant Hey wood, who 
had been landed with a small force of men at San Jo.se in November, 
'47. His camp was surrounded by the Mexicans, his provisions were 
almost exhausted and he was in desperate straits. The Cyane landed 
her entire force, and under Captain Du Pont and Lieutenant Rowan 
attacked the Mexicans. The fight was short and severe; with a rush 
the sailors went to the relief of their comrades who had been besieged 
for weeks and soon rescued them. 

Between the end of the Mexican war and the beginning of the 
Civil War in '61, he served twice on ordnance duty at the N, Y Navy 
Yard, cruised three years on the ship Relief and was in charge of the 
receiving ship North Carolina for three years. 



In the latter part of '60, when the country was filled with rumors 
of the impending conflict he was waiting orders. Being convinced 
that there was trouble ahead, he asked for service afloat, and in Jan- 
uar}', '61, was put in command of the Pawnee, whose Commander 
being a Southern man had resigned. He was ordered to Washington 
and his ship was the strongest protection which the Capitol had in 
those dark days of the outbreak of the rebellion. 

The services of Admiral Rowan during the Civil War were the 
crowning acts of a man who up to that time had an admirable record. 
His service in the Mexican War prepared him for larger things than 
he had ever accomplished. His undoubted loyalty to the flag in our 
countrys time of greatest need, made him one to whom the govern- 
ment could entrust any responsible service. The Secretary of the 
Navy a rebel sympathiser in poor weak old Buchanan's cabinet, had 
been scattering our ships to foreign ports, so that they could not be 
available. In the Home Squadron there were only twelve vessels, and 
only four of them in New York, and one, the Pawnee, in Washington, 
of the other eight, four were at Pensacola, one at Ver)^ Cruz. Our 
entire fleet consisted of 42 vessels and of these, many were lying in 
various navy yards undergoing repairs. 

The war actually began on the sea coast at one of our most im- 
portant ports Charleston, S. C, and after it was on, the Navy had a 
tremendous contract to close and guard our coast line, extending from 
Alexandria to the Rio Grande River, a distance of 6000 miles, includ- 
ing bays and inlets with 185 harbor and river openings. This does 
not include the work the Navy had to do on the Mississippi and other 
rivers. Think of what a task this was and how much depended on 
this arm of the service ! Had the Navy not actually maintained a 
blockade on the Coast which inter-national law could respect, we 
would have had interference by at least two of the most powerful 
nations of Europe, which were not showing a friendly spirit toward 
the North. 

Admiral Belnap says, "that had it not been for the splendid co- 
operation of the Navy and the Marine Corps with the Union Armies 
in the field, there never would have been any surrender at Appomat- 
tox." We who saw only land fighting, do not fully appreciate the 
value of the Navy. The Confederacj^ received its supplies and muni- 
tions of war thro the Atlantic ports from their sympathizing friends 



on the other side, and when a Nav^al victor}^ was gained and their war 
supplies cut off, it was most keenly felt. Had it not been for the work 
of the Navy, the power of the Confederacy would never have been 
broken. 

Many of the Naval officers in '61, were disloyal to their flag and 
resigned as soon as their States ceceeded. This crippled the service 
very much, for the government bought, built, armed and equipped a 
large number of vessels and had to look to younger and inexperienced 
men to command them. 

The Secretary of the Navy had also been accumlating guns and 
munitions of war in the Southern ports, knowing full well that they 
would be available to the Southern cause when the crash came. On 
March 4, '61, there were only 207 men in all the ports and receiving 
ships on the Atlantic Coast. We had ships and valuable munitions of 
war, btit the administration was slow to act. The authorities at 
Washington were warned of the danger of delay, in not guarding and 
protecting the Norfold Navy Yard, but nothing was done. Everyone 
was afraid of wounding the sensitive feelings of the South, by making 
any demonstration which would have the slightest appearance of an 
act of hostility toward them. All the while they were plotting, plot- 
ting how they could cripple the government. In a spasm of hysteria, 
the government ordered the navy yard at Norfolk to be burned. The 
buildings were consumed and the port deserted by our ships. But 
much property of the greatest value was not consumed. Among other 
things twelve hundred large guns, the best the Navy had. These 
were uninjured and Admiral Porter, says that we met them every- 
where in future engagements on the Coast and even down on the Mis- 
sissippi River. 

In the same way the di.sloyal Secretary of War Floyd sent the 
little army we then had as far as possible from the Coast. Our sold- 
iers were scattered over Utah, New Mexico, the Indian and Washing- 
ton Territories, Oregon and Texas. The government had practically 
neither Navy or Army which was available when Snmter was fired on. 
There was scarcely a Corporal's guard to protect Washington. At 
this very moment thousands of men were drilled and armed in the 
Southern States and ready to march on Washington and take posses- 
sion of the Capitol. 

The Potomac River is the great highway from Washington to the 



sea, and one of the first acts of the Confederates was to take possession 
of it. As early as the last of May '61 they had completed their bat- 
teries on Aquia Creek below Washington. 

Admiral Porter says that "at the time Mr. Lincoln became Presi- 
dent, all of the Southern ports were in possession of the secessionists 
and were sealed against our ships and open to the blockade runners 
which immediately began to supply the South with munitions of 
war." Clothing, food, arms and everything necessary for the Rebel 
army, thus had free entry until a Navy should be created, which 
would be able not only to exclude them, but to enable us to regain 
possession of these ports on the Coast. Wdnt of ships prevented the 
government from taking possession of these ports on the Atlantic 
Coast on the shores of Virginia and of North and South Carolina. The 
administration was slow in getting to work and did not seem to com- 
prehend the value of time. Secretary Wells, instead of acting 
promptly and taking the initiative, called a board of three naval 
officers to make a report as to what kind and how many naval vessels 
should be ordered. In a message he says, "it is for Congress to say 
whether one or more iron-clad steamers or floating batteries are to be 
constructed with a view of perfect protection from the effects of pres- 
ent ordnance at short range." It took them six precious weeks to 
deliberate and at the end of that time they were skeptical as to the 
utility of ironclads. They thought that for coast and harbor defence, 
they would undoubtedly be formidable adjuncts to fortifications on 
land. As cruising vessels, they were skeptical as to their advantages 
and ultimate adoption. Their final opinion was that no ship or float- 
ing battery, however heavily she may be plated could cope success- 
fully with a properly constructed fortification of masonry. How our 
views and experience have been revolutionized since '61 ! Could 
these fine old Admirals have seen the splendid fleet which Admiral 
Evans lead out of Hampton Roads about two years ago, what would 
they say ? Could they believe that every doubt which they had about 
the inefficiency of iron-clads had vanished ? Their trust in fortifica- 
tions of masonry would be shattered, when they learned that one big 
gun can fire enormous shells a distance of five or ten miles, which 
weigh as much as a whole broadside would have done in their day. 

Plans for the construction of iron-clads were submitted by John 
Ericsson, of New York, and adopted without delay and the immediate 



result was the construction of the Monitor and the New Ironsides. 
The former was to revolutionize naval fighting and to render useless 
the wooden ships of every European country. It was to form a model 
of an ironclad fighting machine, which by process of evolution has 
resulted in the wonderful dreadnaughts of the present day. 

But six months had now elapsed since the administration came 
into power, and it had lost valuable time, and valuable territory which 
it was most important to hold. In the meantime the Confederates 
had been pushing forward with a zeal and enthusiasm which gave 
them a great advantage. 

The services of Admiral Rowan during the Civil War were on the 
Potomac River and in the waters of North and South Carolfna. 

When the Klsworth Zouaves entered Alexandria, May 24th, the 
Pawnee was there by order of General Scott to cover their landing. 
In fact before the soldiers had had time to reach the town, Rowan 
had already sent his executive officer I^ieutenant Lowry to demand its 
surrender and the evacuation of the rebel troops. 

The first nav^al engagement of the war was an attack on the bat- 
teries on Aquia Creek, which the rebels had constructed at the ter- 
minus of the Richmond & Fredricksburg R. R. on the Potomac River. 
It occurred on the first day of June. This was the opening gun for 
the Navy's great work and his ship the Pawnee took part in it. L,ater 
on in the same month the Pawnee participated in an attack on Mathias 
Point farther down the river 

The capture of Hatteras Inlet and forts Hatteras and Clark which 
defended it was one of the most important events during the first year 
of the war. It was in fact the first important victory the Navy had 
gained. Hatteras Inlet was the be.'^t and most important sea entrance 
to the inland waters of North Carolina. Its strategic im[)ortance was 
early recognized by the Confederates who erected at its entrance two 
forts, Hatteras and Clark, mounting 25 and 5 guns respectively, which 
were garrisoned by about seven hundred men. 

The coast of North Carolina from the line of Virginia down to 
Cape Fear is protected by what the geologists call a barrier beech. 
It extends like a massive sea wall along nearl}^ the entire length of the 
State and is the dread of sailors and mariners. Cape Hatteras, Cape 
Lookout, Cape Fear are places to be dreaded in a storm. 

In this enormous sea wall there are openings or inlets into the pro- 



tected waters of Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds, which occupy a front- 
age of nearly one-half of the Old North State. The most important 
inlet was that of Hatteras. Its capture was accomplished by a com- 
bined attack by land and sea. 

The troops were commanded by General B. F. Butler and the 
naval forces by Flag Officer Stringham. On the 26th of August, '61, 
the fleet and transports with the troops arriv^ed. The troops were 
landed with difficulty on account of the high serf. On the 2Sth, the 
bombardment of the forts began and ships got the range. On the next 
morning the fleet threw shot and shell into the forts with such energy 
and accuracy that in three hours they raised the white flag and the inlet 
was ours. In this engagement Rowan commanded the Pawnee and 
his ship did good service and aided materially in the defeat of the 
enemy. This victory with its far reaching effects, sent a thrill of 
pleasure and hope to the Union troops and particularly to the Navy. 

It was of vital importance to capture and hold the waters of North 
Carolina and a brilliant beginning had been made. In this battle we 
captured 670 prisoners, 1000 stand of arms and 35 guns. Immediately 
after the capture of Hatteras Inlet, General Butler went to Washing- 
ton to report the good news to the President and General Wool. He 
arrived there after midnight and went immediately to the home of 
Post Master General Blair. Then he went to the house of Assistant 
Secretary of War Fox, and told of our victory. It was proposed to 
go across the street and tell President Lincoln, and they went. This 
is General Butler's description of the interview: "We went up into 
Cabinet room, the President was called and when our errand was 
hinted to him, he immediately came in in his night shirt. Everybody 
knows how tall Lincoln was, and he seemed very much taller in that 
garment, and Fox was about five feet nothing. In a few hurried 
words Fox communicated the news and then he and Lincoln fell into 
each other arms. That is. Fox put his arms around Lincoln about as 
high as his hips and Lincoln reached down over him, so that his arms 
were pretty near the floor, apparently, and thus holding each other 
they flew around the room once or twice and the night shirt was con- 
siderably agitated. The Commanding General was entirely overcome 
by the scene and lying back on the sofa roared with irresistable mer- 
riment." Poor, good, Mr. Lincoln, nothing ever made him hilarious 
except good news from the front. He did not enjo}' that kind of in- 

10 



toxication very often and this event was like a ray of sunshine from a 
dark cloud. 

After the capture of Hatteras Inlet, the government was urged to 
take measures to capture other important strategic points and rebel 
forts, which had been erected in Pamlico and Albermarle Sounds. 
These large bodies of water are separated by narrow channels in the 
midst of which is Roanoke Island. The Confederates early saw the 
importance of fortif3dng these channels and constructed three forts on 
the east side of the island and one on the main land. Mounting in 
all 32 large guns. They also obstructed the channel by piles and 
sunken hulks of vessels. 

Roanoke Island was the key to Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds, 
and the government at once made energetic efforts to capture it. It was 
an attack by land and sea. The troops were commanded by General 
Burnside and the Naval forces under Admiral Goldsboro with Rowan 
as next in rank. On the 7th of February, 1862, the vessels advanced 
and engaged the forts and also the Confederate fleet, which was at the 
other end of the channel. Firing continued all day and in the mean- 
time the troops were landed and began their march toward the forts. 
The next day the attack was general by land and sea and resulted in the 
complete defeat of the rebels and the capture of 2600 men and officers, 
five forts and 32 guns. It was a great and very important victory. 
I cannot describe its importance as well as Scharf has done in his his- 
tory of the Conferate States Navy. 

He writes: 

"Thus Roanoke Island was lost. It was the key to the rear 
defences of Norfolk. It unlocked two sounds, eight rivers, four 
canals, and' two railroads. It lodged the Navy in a safe harbor from 
the storms of Hatteras and gave him a rendezvous and a large and rich 
range of supplies and the command of the seaboard, from Oregon 
Inlet to Cape Henry. The Confederate Navy in the sounds of North 
Carolina was in that action, if not entirely destroyed, dissipated and 
scattered." 

In this naval battle all of the vessels were placed under com- 
mand of Rowan. Admiral Goldsboro's ship taking no part in the 
engagement. It was a brilliant affair, and after it was over. Rowan 
was commended in the highest terms by the Flag Officer. During the 
battle at Roanoke Island, the Confederate fleet under command of 

11 



Flag Officer Lynch were in the east end of the channel. When the 
island was captured they retreated to Elizabeth City on the Pasque- 
tonk River, and Rowan with several vessels followed and attacked 
tlieui. They were found behind Cobbs Point under cover of a fort. 

The night before the attack, Rowan called his commanders to- 
gether and gave them their orders. He told them there were only 
twenty rounds of ammunition for each gun. He enjoined upon them, 
not to fire a single shot until the order was given and in order to 
further economize ammunition, each vessel was to run the enemy 
down and engage him hand to hand. Our fleet advanced without 
responding to the shots from the rebel fort. On they came silently 
but steadily. When within three-quarters of a mile of the fort, Rown 
gave the signal, "Dash at the enemy." And then they went at full 
speed, over obstructions and sunken torpedoes and right for the rebel 
ships. Each ship went for one of the Confederate ships, and in fifteen 
minutes five of their six ships were either captured or destroyed. The 
fort was deserted as soon as our fleet passed it, as it was then defence- 
less. It was a brilliant affair and the new tactics adopted confused 
and disconcerted the enemy. 

An act of heroism occurred on the Valley City which Rowan 
records and which is worthy of special mention. A shell penetrated 
the magazine of the Valley City and set fire to the berth deck. John 
Davis, gunners mate was serving powder from an open barrel of 
power. Seeing the danger he sat down on the barrel and there 
remained until the fire was extinguished, thereby preventing an explo- 
sion. He was honorably mentioned by Lieutenant Chaplin and also 
by Rowan and was promoted by the Secretary of the Navy. He re- 
ceived a medal of honor, the first which was given during the war. 

After the battle between the Monitor and Merrimac on the 9th of 
March, 186j?. Admiral Goldsboro went to Fortress Monroe, leaving 
Rowan in command of the Sounds of North Carolina. 

The next important movement was on March 14th against New 
Berne, a strongly fortified city on on the Neuse River and the second 
important city in the State. Here as at Roanoke Island there was a 
combined attack of land and naval forces, the latter under the personal 
command of Rowan. The troops were under Generals Reno, Foster 
and Park, with Burnside in supreme command The forts were 
located along the banks of the river at intervals. As usual the Navy 

12 



advanced, shelling the torts. The channel was obstructed in two 
places by piling and sunken hulks and the upper one by a row of BO 
torpedoes, containing 200 pounds of power each. In an unofficial 
letter from Rowan to Goldsboro, he says, "As we were going 
toward the obstructions, the old pilot said, you must stop or 
you will all be blown up, but I said we must take some risk and I 
hoped their machines would not go off and sure enough they did not." 
If he had only said, "Damn the torpedoes," as Farragut did two years 
later, he would have immortalized himself. Giving orders, "Follow 
my motions," he went thro the obstructions with his flag ship, the 
Delaware, the others following. Three of his ships were slightly 
injured. The troops did brilliant work charging the forts and push- 
ing on rapidly. The battle resulted in a complete route of the Con- 
federates. By noon Rowan's flag ship was at the wharf in the city of 
New Berne. In this fight we captured nine foris, mounting 41 guns, 
two miles of intrenchment, 19 field pieces, 300 prisoners and 1000 
stand of arms with an immense amount of stores, ammunition and 
cotton. This practically ended the contest, in the sounds of North 
Carolina. The Union forces had accomplished a most important work 
and the Confederates had been crippled both on sea and land. In 
what was accomplished much credit is due to the hearty co-operation 
of General Rush C. Hawkins who commanded the land forces in several 
expeditions. Privateers could no longer carry on their operations in 
these waters and all had been accomplished within a few weeks. 

The most trying and laborious duty performed by Commodore 
Rowan was during the siege of Charleston. Thi.s began early in 
April, 1868, but it was not until July that he was ordered to command 
the New Ironsides. 

Before speaking of his services, let us for a moment look at the 
New Ironsides She was one of the remarkable ships of the war and 
is to-day historic. At this time she was probably the strongest ves- 
sel afloat. She was 220 feet in length, of (50 feet beam, 23 foot depth 
of hold, drew 16 feet of water and her greatest speed was eight knots. 
He armor consisting of plates of rolled iron 4^ inches thick, which 
extended over 178 feet of her length. Her battery consisted of four- 
teen 11 inch Dahlgren, smoothbores and two 150 pounder Parrot t 
rifles of 8 inch caliber. Her spar deck, her weak point, was covered 
by sand bags and over this raw hides were spread. These gave out a 

13 



horrid odor, which was not ameliorated by the coating of tallow which 
was theoretically intended to deflect the expected projectiles. In the 
first attack on Sumter, April 7th, she was commanded by Commodore 
Turner. 

Admiral DuPont, decided that the fort could not be taken by a 
purely naval force and so it was arranged that General Gilrnore should 
co-operate with the army under his command. The next attack was 
made July 18th, Rowan commanding the Ironsides. 

Charleston harbor was very strongly protected by her natural loca- 
tion and also by a formidable line of forts, batteries and earth works, 
which lined the channel on both sides. The city lying between the 
Cooper and Ashley Rivers was abundantly protected on both sides as 
well as on the main land. On the ocean front, on Morris Island, 
were Batteries Wagner and Gregg, across the channel was Fort Moul- 
trie, batteries Beaureguard and Battery Bee. Between these two points 
and a litlte nearer the city was Fort Sumter, while farther up were 
Forts Johnson and Ripley and Castle Pinckney and others. To get 
into the harbor of Charleston would be to get into a circle of fire as 
was very aptly said. Dahlgren succeeded DuPont and an attack by 
land and sea was ordered by the Secretary of the Navy. It is not the 
intention of this paper to discuss this great struggle, but to confine it 
to the part in which Captain Rowan participated. The bombardment 
of the various forts began on the 18th of July, 1863, and continued 
until the 8th of September. During this time the Ironsides engaged 
Fort Wagner 14 times, Fort Sumter 4 times, Fort Gregg 5 times and 
Fort Moultrie twice. On the first day of the attack, the Ironsides fired 
805 shot and shells. During this siege she fired 4429 shots and shells. 
The attack lasted fifty-two days and the Ironsides had her guns in 
action during twenty-five days of this time. She was struck 1(34 
times and yet not a shot from the rebel batteries penetrated her armor. 
She was injured in her vulnerable and unprotected portions fore and 
aft, had the shutters to her port holes shot away and her joints sprung 
in different places and her plating indented, but her armor was never 
pierced by a rebel shot. This fact is either a compliment to her iron 
plating or a reflection on the enemys shot. Of the Ironsides, Ad- 
miral Porter says — "The handsome manner in which her gallant Com- 
mander Captain S. C. Rowan handled her and took her into action 
always elicited the applause of the fleet. There was no vessel the 

14 



eneni}^ so heartily dreaded as the Ironsides. Her well drilled crew 
and expert gunners made her anything but welcome when she brought 
her broadsides to bear upon any of the forts. 

Many attempts were made to destroy her. On the 7th of April, 
1862, she stood for an hour directly over a torpedo containing 2000 
pounds of powder. It was to have been exploded by electricity, but 
the current would not work. It was discovered later on, that one of 
the wires had been severed by an ordnance wagon and so she escaped. 
On the 5th of October, 1803, a daring attempt to destroy her by a 
torpedo boat was made. The torpedo boat or "David" as it was 
called, was 50 feet long, 8 feet in width and feet in depth, shaped 
like a cigar and had great speed. It carried on the end of a spar pro- 
jecting from its bow, a torpedo. The attack on the Ironsides was 
very skilfully managed. It advanced very rapidly and the torpedo ex- 
ploded under the water near her hull, throwing up an immense column 
of water, which deluged the ship. She was shaken from stem to stern 
by the force of the explosion and some damage done to her, but she 
was not disabled. It was a narrow escape, however, and convinced 
our naval Commanders, that the Confederates were doing more ag- 
gressive work in the construction of torpedo boats than we were. 
General Beauregard looked upon the Ironsides as their most danger- 
ous antagonist and he determined to destroy her if possible and so 
raise the blockade. 

Scharf says — 

"Most of the boat expeditions had been sent out with a view to 
discovering the possibility of a torpedo attack on the New Ironsides, 
which was more troublesome to Fort Wagner than all the Monitors 
combined, her quick firing broadsides of 11 inch shell guns being far 
more annoying than the slower discharges from the turret vessels." 

In June, '64, after eleven months constant service on the Iron- 
sides, Admiral Rowan asked to be relieved as the duty was beginning 
to impair his health. He took his ship to Philadelphia and there had 
a much needed and well earned respite from sta duty. This ended 
his active service during the war. From January, 1861, till June, 
1804, a period of three years and a half he was in command all the 
time, filling every position to which he was assigned with credit to 
himself and the Navy. His valuable services were not unappreciated. 
July 11, 1862, President Lincoln recommended a voteof thanks of Con- 

15 



gress to Commander Rowan "for distinguished services in the 
waters of North Carolina and particularly in the capture of New 
Berne, being in chief command of the naval forces." On February 
19, '63, the President nominated Rowan to be a Commodore in the 
Navy on the active list from February 7th, 1863. On July 26, 1866, 
he was promoted to Rear Admiral by selection. Presiddent Grant 
nominated him to be Vice Admiral on August, 1870, by selection also. 
This was while he was in command of the Asiatic Squadron. The 
promotion was made while he was at sea on the return voyage 
and he was not aware of it until he reached New York Harbor. 
Admiral Rodley D. Evans, who was an officer on Rowan's flag ship, 
the Piscatauqua at the time says in his "Sailors Log," published in 
1892. "As we entered the Narrows, the Guerrier was made outside 
bound for Brazil. She saluted us with seventeen guns, which was the 
first intimation we had that Admiral Rowan had been made Vice Ad- 
miral. Our officers and crew were wild with delight and cheered 
until the Admiral showed himself on deck. It was a splendid reward 
for his magnificent conduct during the Civil War and made solely on his 
merits. At the time it was done he was at sea, out of reach of any- 
thing like political influence, and not even where he could be com- 
municated with. Once in our history the man who deserved it was 
made Vice Admiral." After his return from his last cruise, he was 
in command of the Brooklyn Navy Yard from '72 to '76 Port Admiral 
till '77. He filled various positions until '83, when he went to Wash" 
ington and served as Chairman of the Light House Board. This posi- 
tion he held until 1889, when he voluntarily retired. He passed away 
the next year March 31, 1890, in the eighty-second year of his age, 
having served in the Navy sixty-four years. He died full of years 
and full of honors and he deserved them all Personally he was very 
popular with his fellow officers and with the sailors. The latter affec- 
tionately called him "Paddy Rowan." His excellent judgement and 
unquestioned bravery inspired confidence in all who came in contact 
with him. He was very appreciative of any act of bravery on the part 
of any subordinate and gave unstinted praise wherever it was 
deserved. 

Admiral T. H. Stevens (1886 Evening Star) in relation to the 
work done by Rowan in North Carolina says, "in reviewing this series 
of succes.ses and victories of paramount value to the Union cause, we 

16 



cannot fail to recognize the fine skill, untiring energy, cool and tem- 
pered judgment; quick perception and dash of Rowan, which fully 
established his claims to rank with the leading Commanders of the 
day. No grass grew under his keel. No victory was gained until all 
its fruits were fully garnered. "While there was work to be done, he 
rested not, nor did he allow others to rest." 

In 18(M, the Sanitary Commission of New York gave a beautiful 
sword to the most popular naval officer. The selection fell to Admiral 
Rowan. This sword is now loaned to the library in Piqua, which 

i Mr. J. G. Schmidlapp, our fellow citizen, built in honor of his native 
city. A monument to Admiral Rowan was erected in Piqua by his 
generosity also. It was dedicated on October 13, 1909, with becoming 
and interesting ceremonies. The monument consists of a 10 inch 
Rodman gun, resting on a block of granite, on which are inscribed the 
principal battles in which he participated. May we not hope that, in 

I the not distant future, a more fitting monument may be erected to his 
memory in the City of Wa.shington, where he spent the latter years 
of his life ? 



17 




Monument erected at Piqua, O., in honor of Vice Admiral Rowan by 
J. G. Schmidlapp. Dedicated October 13, 1909. 




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